Strawberry plant named &#39;MELISSA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar is provided. Attractive early-ripening substantially uniform medium red primarily conical to slightly rhomboid fruit having a firm flesh is formed in good yield that is longer than broad in configuration. White inflorescence is formed on an early basis that tends to be disposed above the foliage. A calyx commonly is displayed that extends slightly beyond the corolla when open. A semi-dense semi-upright growth habit is displayed.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Fragaria×ananassa Duchesne/Strawberry Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Melissa

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention was the product of a controlled breeding program that was carried out at Nova Siri (MT) Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N.-16° 39′ 40″ E. and 10 meters above sea level. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘Siris’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States and European Application No. 34843) and the male parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the ‘Margherita’ cultivar (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/987,140, filed Jul. 3, 2013 and EU No. 2012/1378). The parentage of the new cultivar can be summarized as follows:

‘Siris’×‘Margherita’.

The seeds resulting from the pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically different from each other. Selective study and testing resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new cultivar.

The new cultivar initially was designated 488xf-11-03.

It was found that the new short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention displays the following combination of characteristics:

(a) exhibits a semi-dense semi-upright growth habit,

(b) displays on an early basis white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage,

(c) commonly displays a calyx that is slightly larger than the diameter of the corolla when open, and

(d) forms in abundance attractive early-ripening large medium red primarily conical to slightly rhomboid fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration.

The new cultivar of the present invention can be readily distinguished from previously known strawberry cultivars including the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) as indicated in detail hereafter. The comparative ‘Sabrosa’ plants described herein were obtained commercially in Italy.

The new cultivar possesses characteristics that commonly are sought by commercial strawberry growers. The substantially uniform attractive firm medium red early-ripening fruit is provided in good yields. Accordingly, the new cultivar is considered to be a promising new plant for commercial introduction.

The new cultivar requires an induction period for flowering. This can be achieved by growing in a colder climate away from the equator or at a higher altitude above sea level.

During observation to date no particular disease sensitivity for the new cultivar has been observed.

The new cultivar has been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons at Ochla, Poland located at 51° 848 N.-15° 447 E. and at Nova Siri (MT) Italy, and by in vitro tissue culture. No rooting problems were encountered. The combination of characteristics exhibited by the new plant has been found to be stable and is reliably transmitted to succeeding generations following such asexual reproduction. Accordingly, the new cultivar reproduces true-to-type manner by such asexual reproduction.

The new plant has been named ‘Melissa’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new cultivar as well as typical specimens of the ‘Sabosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) for comparative purposes. The plants had been asexually reproduced from stolons and were planted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid-October 2013 at Nova Siri (MT), Italy.

FIG. 1 shows a semi-upright flowering plant of the new cultivar on May 20, 2014 where the newly formed flowers commonly are disposed above the foliage.

FIG. 2 shows a row of fruiting plants of the new cultivar on Mar. 20, 2014 wherein abundant early fruit production is apparent.

FIG. 3 shows a row of fruiting plants of the new cultivar on Apr. 30, 2014 wherein vigorous vegetation, newly formed flowers, generally uniform fruit, and very long peduncles are apparent.

FIG. 4 shows the upper surfaces of two typical three-leaflet leaves of the new cultivar.

FIG. 5 shows the under surfaces of two typical three-leaflet leaves of the new cultivar.

FIG. 6 shows the upper surfaces of four typical three-leaflet leaves of the new cultivar wherein the petioles and stipules are further apparent. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the left for comparative purposes.

FIG. 7 shows a further close view of typical petioles and stipules of the new cultivar.

FIG. 8 shows typical inflorescence of the new cultivar as borne on pedicels including the presence of a commonly formed single leaflet. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the bottom for comparative purposes.

FIG. 9 shows from above a close view of typical flowers of the new cultivar. The calyx tends to extend somewhat beyond the petals when open.

FIG. 10 shows from below a close view of typical flowers of the new cultivar. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the top for comparative purposes.

FIG. 11 shows from below for comparative purposes typical flowers of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558). Unlike the new cultivar, it is observed that the depicted open calyx commonly is of approximately the same diameter as the open corolla.

FIG. 12 shows typical large whole medium red fruits of the new cultivar. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the left for comparative purposes.

FIG. 13 shows typical internal sections of typical fruits of the new cultivar. The fruit cavity is shown to be very small or absent. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the left for comparative purposes.

FIG. 14 shows for comparative purposes typical whole fruits of the new cultivar at the top row and typical whole fruits of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,668) at the bottom row. It will be noted for the new cultivar that the fruits tend to be slightly larger, the calyx is attached at approximately the same level as the fruit surface and substantially without insertion, and the sepal disposition tends to be more outwards rather than upwards.

FIG. 15 shows for comparative purposes a row of typical later fruiting plants of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) on Mar. 15, 2014. This can be compared with fruiting plants of the new cultivar of FIG. 2 shown on Mar. 20, 2015. The new cultivar is shown to display longer peduncles.

FIG. 16 shows on Apr. 30, 2015 for comparative purposes a row of typical flowering fruiting plants of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) where the level of the flowers tends to be at approximately the same as that of the foliage. This can be compared with the typical higher flower level of the new cultivar as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 17 shows on Jun. 30, 2014 typical long high quality stolons of the new cultivar which typically are present in medium-to-high quantity with strong anthocyanin coloration.

FIG. 18 shows on Jun. 30, 2014 for comparative purposed typical stolons of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) which typically are present in low-to-medium quantity with little to weak anthocyanin coloration. This can be compared with FIG. 17 for the typical stolon presentation of the new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The described plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels at Nova Siri (MT) Italy and at Ochla, Poland. The chart used in the identification of color is the R.H.S. Colour Chart (Edition V) of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. Reference to common color terms is to be accorded ordinary dictionary significance.

-   Botanical class:

Fragaria×ananassa, Duchesne, cv. ‘Melissa’.

-   Plant:     -   -   Type.—short-day.         -   Configuration.—semi-upright and semi-dense.         -   Vigor.—strong.         -   Leaflets.—medium in size, commonly three in number,             approximately 6.5 cm in length on average and approximately             6 cm in width on average; the terminal leaflet commonly is             moderately longer to equal in length than width, possesses a             generally flat cross-section, possesses a serrate to crenate             margin, and an acute base; blistering commonly is medium in             quantity; the glossiness on the upper surface is medium; and             variegated coloration commonly is absent with the upper             surface coloration commonly being near Green Group N137C to             Green Group N137D and the under surface commonly being near             Yellow-Green Group 147B. Such coloration commonly is darker             than that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.         -   Stolons.—numerous in quantity, medium pubescence in density,             commonly near Red-Purple Group 67A to Red-Purple Group 67B             in coloration, commonly are produced somewhat more             numerously than the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar with anthocyanin             coloration commonly being weak to absent on the stolons of             the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. The coloration of stolons for the             ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar commonly is near Yellow-Green Group N144A             to Yellow-Green Group 145C.         -   Petioles.—commonly approximately 10 to 22 cm in length on             average, near Yellow-Green Group N144B in coloration, and             commonly bear generally horizontally disposed fine             pubescence.         -   Stipules.—commonly approximately 2 to 3 cm in length, and             commonly bear some weak anthocyanin coloration of near             Red-Purple Group 73A to 74C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flowering time.—early.         -   Flower disposition.—generally above the foliage         -   Flower number.—medium, commonly 3 to 7.         -   Pedicel hairs.—pubescence generally disposed somewhat             upwards.         -   Pedicel color.—near Yellow-Green Group 144C to Yellow-Green             Group 144B.         -   Size.—large, with primary flowers commonly being             approximately 2.2 to 3.2 cm in diameter on average, and             secondary flowers commonly being approximately 2.1 to 2.5 cm             in diameter on average, commonly the open calyx is slightly             larger than the diameter than the corolla.         -   Petals.—overlapping, commonly number approximately 5 to 7 on             average (typically 6), somewhat rounded overall in             configuration with the relationship of the length to the             width being substantially equal, commonly approximately 13             mm on average in length and width, and with a rounded apex,             and near White Group N155A in coloration on the upper             surface.         -   Anthers.—commonly number approximately 20 to 32 on average,             commonly disposed below the stamen, and near Yellow Group 6D             to 7D in coloration. The new cultivar is self-fertile and             pollen is formed in abundance.         -   Sepals.—generally lanceolate in configuration, generally             somewhat outwardly disposed, commonly number approximately             12 to 14 on average which can be compared to approximately             10 to 12 on average for the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar, commonly             approximately 1 to 1.7 cm in length on average and             approximately 2 to 6 mm in width on average at the broadest             point, unlike the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar the diameter of the             open calyx commonly is slightly greater than that of the             corolla (as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11), and the             coloration on the upper surface is commonly near Green Group             141B to Green Group 143A and on the lower surface is             commonly near Yellow-Green Group 147B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Bearing.—non-remontant.         -   Timing.—early-fruiting commonly with approximately 30 to 35             days from first blooming to first fruit ripening. This can             be compared to approximately 35 to 40 days between first             blooming and first fruit ripening for the ‘Sabrosa’             cultivar.         -   Shape.—conical to slightly rhomboid, longer than broad,             commonly with a medium difference between terminal and other             fruit.         -   Size.—large, with the primary fruit commonly being             approximately 6.5 to 7 cm in length on average and             approximately 4 to 4.9 cm in width on average at the             broadest point.         -   Surface.—slightly uneven texture with strong glossiness.         -   External color.—substantially uniform medium red and             commonly near Red Group 45B to Red Group 46B in coloration.         -   Internal color.—flesh is medium red, and commonly near             Orange-Red Group 34A to Orange-Red Group 34B, and the core             commonly is medium red Orange-Red Group 34A to Orange-Red             Group 34B.         -   Firmness.—good firmness.         -   Cavity.—very small or absent fruit cavity (as illustrated in             FIG. 13).         -   Achenes.—located generally below the fruit surface and cover             nearly the entire fruit surface commonly with only a very             narrow band (if any) where achenes are absent, and commonly             near Orange Group 28A to Red Group 45B in coloration.         -   Calyx.—commonly the fruit is slightly raised at the point of             attachment, the fruit commonly attaches to the fruit with             medium adherence, the sepals are disposed generally             outwards, and the fruit diameter and the calyx diameter             commonly are substantially equal.         -   Peduncle.—very long, commonly approximately 25 to 35 cm in             length on average for primary fruit, and commonly near Green             Group 141B to Green Group 143A in coloration.         -   Pedicel.—commonly with pubescence extending upwards, and             near Yellow-Green Group 144C to Yellow-Green Group 144B in             coloration.

SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE DATA

Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the new ‘Melissa’ cultivar and the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. The plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels. The fruit was evaluated and compared on the dates indicated. Average data is presented.

Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) Cultivar February 30^(th) March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) ‘Melissa’ 78 258 362 496 ‘Sabrosa’ 24 119 237 389

Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weight Cultivar g/fruit ‘Melissa’ 26.28 ‘Sabrosa’ 22.75

Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) Cultivar (grams) (grams) (grams) ‘Melissa’ 27.88 26.75 23.00 ‘Sabrosa’ 24.43 21.00 20.40

Fruit Analysis ‘Melissa’ ‘Sabrosa’ Firmness (average)*  0.74  0.74 Dry Matter (%)**  7.15  8.95 pH (to 20°)  3.93  3.81 Acidity as Anhydride Citric (%)  0.60  0.88 Soluble Solids (% Brix)  9.08  9.48 Maturity Index *** 15.13 10.77 *Resistance to penetration measured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) pentrometer (20 Kg × 0.01). **weight of residue from the titration of the fruit after drying at 103° C. until a constant weight is achieved. *** Relation between soluble solids and acidity as acetic anhydride.

Plants of the new ‘Melissa’ cultivar have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct short-day strawberry plant that exhibits the following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits a semi-dense semi-upright growth habit, (b) displays on an early basis white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage, (c) commonly displays a calyx that is slightly larger than the diameter of the corolla when open, and (d) forms in abundance attractive early-ripening large medium red primarily conical to rhomboid fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration; substantially as illustrated and described. 